No one understands the statement, “design is everywhere” better than us designers. But comprehension and integration are two totally separate acts. From food packaging, to billboards, to book covers, catalogs, websites, and everything in between, we spend the majority of our waking hours on our computers designing and/or looking at these designs through the portals of our monitors.But when the computer is shut down, does your “design radar” go off-line, as well?
For instance, when it’s time to grocery shop, are you in the get-in/get-out as fast as possible mindset? Or do you treat the experience as a journey through Design Mecca – with sources of inspiration lining the shelves from wall to wall? When you’re waiting on the unbearably slow line at the post office do you temper your impatience by burying your nose in your iPhone? Or do you make note of the ugly signage covering the walls and kill the time by redesigning it better in your head? “Cranking up your design radar” is about never turning off the designer in ourselves. READ FULL ARTICLE: Smashing Magazine
When startups and established businesses alike are looking to cut corners and save money, graphic design is usually at the top of their chopping block. But what these companies fail to realize is that good website design can literally mean the difference between being in the red or being in the black – it’s that crucial.
A website is often the first point of contact consumers have with a company. And just like in life, the first impression really does matter. Consciously or subconsciously, consumers take everything they see into account before deciding where to invest their dollars and their loyalty: colors, logo, layout, quality of images, ease of navigation, style, tone, etc. And then make logical and/or emotional assumptions based on what they see: “This company’s website is just so-so quality. I don’t know if I can trust their products or services will be of quality too.” And if a company has consumers doubting, they’ve undoubtedly lost their business. Design matters to the bottom line.
A great example of a successful website redesign is the Pilates Studio Tiburon in Marin County. Their original website was not doing its part to bring in business and the branding was inconsistent with the actual studio space in terms of color, tone, messaging, etc. The new website needed to reflect the studio’s supportive, community atmosphere, whimsical, serene, new-agey vibe, and, of course, the organic nature of Pilates. In working with them, I designed a simple, easy to navigate site, with custom illustration. The result is a design that is at once strong, organic, whimsical, and undeniably imaginative.
And the investment was well worth it. The new Pilates Studio Tiburon website has successfully attracted and continues to attract new clients, even in our tough economy. The new design has also helped to secure brand loyalty with existing customers as they can now see the quality in everything the studio offers.
Good web design does not have to cost a fortune or be tricked out with bells and whistles, and tons of Flash. But it does mean investing in a quality, professional graphic designer who knows how to help businesses succeed in the visual realm.
(originally appeared in SF Examiner 3/17/09)